Simultaneous translation services (French to English) will be available throughout the conference.

TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Screenwriting workshop: New voices, new concepts

Which team will create the most original TV series concept?

Five senior screenwriters will each mentor a team of students who will compete in a one-day writing workshop. The students will represent l’UQAM, l’École nationale de l’humour, Concordia University and L’inis (Institut national de l’image et du son).

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

Masterclass: Showrunning in the United States

What really happens in the writers’ room of a large American TV production? What are the « laws » of showrunning?

After twenty years as network executive, writer, producer, pilot writer, show creator and showrunner, Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost, The 100, The Middleman, Medium) breaks down principles to manage creativity, create an optimal work environment, and make it possible to make quality television with a minimum of human carnage and suffering (offscreen at least).

Panel: Is the concept of showrunning possible in Quebec?

Are the writers’ room experiments done in Quebec conclusive? Is showrunning an effective method in Quebec’s television production context? What kind of risks are involved in adapting a Quebec television success for the anglophone market?

Masterclass: Taking risks and living with them

Richard Blaimert, screenwriter of the popular Quebec TV series Nouvelle adresse (and director for season 3) talks about killing his main character and the impact that decision had on his work for this series.